Document Checklist

The paperwork to verify before you sign

Every document a careful buyer, seller or landlord should see — and why each one matters. Tick as you collect them. Items marked critical are the ones that most often stop a deal at the last stage.

0 of 18 collected

10 critical documents still outstanding

What to verify before you pay anything beyond a refundable token.

Title and ownership

Mother deed / chain of title (30 years)CRITICALTraces ownership back through every transfer. Breaks in the chain are the most expensive defect to discover late.
Current Sale Deed of the sellerCRITICALProves how the present owner acquired the property, and that the name matches their ID exactly.
Encumbrance Certificate (13–30 years)CRITICALReveals registered mortgages, charges and litigation against the property.
Mutation / Jamabandi / revenue recordConfirms the revenue department recognises the seller as owner and that tax is billed to them.
Legal heir certificate or succession certificateCRITICALRequired where the property is inherited — every co-owner must join the conveyance.

Approvals and compliance

Sanctioned layout / building planCRITICALConfirms the plot or structure is as approved. Deviations can invite demolition or regularisation costs.
Change of Land Use (CLU) certificateCRITICALFor agricultural land converted to residential or commercial use — without it the sale is legally fragile.
RERA registration number of the projectVerify it on your state's RERA portal, along with the declared completion date and carpet area.
Occupancy Certificate / Completion CertificateCRITICALConfirms the building was built as approved and is fit to occupy. Utilities and resale both depend on it.
Fire and environment clearancesApplicable to high-rise and larger projects; their absence stalls the Occupancy Certificate.

Dues and no-objections

Latest property tax receiptUnpaid municipal tax attaches to the property and is recovered from the new owner.
No Dues Certificate from the societyCRITICALSociety maintenance arrears do not appear on an Encumbrance Certificate but still follow the flat.
Electricity and water bill clearanceOutstanding utility dues can block a new connection in your name.
Bank NOC / loan closure letterCRITICALEssential if the property was mortgaged — confirms the lender's charge is released.

At registration

PAN and Aadhaar of both partiesRequired at the Sub-Registrar, and for TDS compliance.
TDS challan (Form 26QB) where price exceeds ₹50 lakhCRITICAL1% TDS must be deducted and deposited by the buyer under Section 194-IA. Non-compliance is the buyer's liability.
Stamp duty payment receiptDuty must be paid at the correct circle rate; under-stamping invites penalty and impounding.
Two witnesses with IDRegistration cannot be completed without them.

This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state, by property type and by whether the project is RERA-registered. Have an advocate run title due diligence on any transaction of consequence.